Article by Daniel Grigore – Published Friday, 08 May 2026 23:16 / Updated Friday, 08 May 2026 23:26
In the opening of the 8th stage of the play-off, CFR Cluj and the University of Craiova tied it 0-0, a point that assures the players from Olt that they will finish the round in first place regardless of the other results.
It was not a bidding match; the ratio of shots was 7-7, but only one execution was squared, the total xG being adequate, 0.38 for CFR, 0.26 for Craiova.
Aurel Țicleanu, member of one of the most successful generations in the history of Bănia, Craiova Maxima, scored the match as “4 to 5”. He also has an explanation for the way it was played, that the University would have been looking for a draw.
Aurel Țicleanu read Craiova: “They wanted a 0-0, not to lose”
“Grade? Phew… 4 to 5. We were talking before the game that when they go into a game, teams want something out of that game. Craiova wanted a 0-0, not to lose, and had the opportunity to do this.
I think that Craiova froze a lot of the game. CFR entered with fear, he was afraid of this game. After the break, he took a bit more risks, got a bit closer to the goal, but in the end it's 0-0 in a 4-point match. And be careful, there are two teams that scored a lot in the last period”, said Țicleanu to PrimaSport.
Faced with the same challenge, the former quarterback Marius Baciu gave the grade 4: “A game with great fear, with fear from both teams. I saw nothing, nothing, nothing. In the first half, CFR was very afraid. I don't understand why; they were playing at home, a lot of people came to the stadium. It was as if they were waiting for the other's mistake.”
Craiova University now has 46 points, 4 more than U Cluj and 5 more than CFR, which can only become champion through a miracle.
